Spain helped begin the ‘tiki-taka’ trend of possession football and won the Euro 2008, then World Cup 2010, and then retained the European Championship in 2012. This feat bettered West Germany’s run – starting at Euro 1972 and ending in international football’s first penalty shootout in the final of Euro 1976 – and now Brazil’s and Italy’s retention of the World Cup remains.

Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta helped Barcelona strangle possession throughout wins in two Champions League titles throughout that period. But whereas the Blaugrana had Lionel Messi breaking goalscoring records, the national side emphasise defence, adding Xabi Alonso to Barcelona’s Busquets at the base of midfield.

La Furia Roja maintained a run of ten consecutive clean sheets going into the tournament, with the pace of Real Madrid Sergio Ramos helping maintain the high line that helps possession be successful. Forwards David Villa and Fernando Torres are past their peak, prompting the absence of a traditional striker for much of Euro 2012, but the naturalisation of Brazil-born Diego Costa adds pace, power and aerial ability.

In the past Spain have used right-winger Jesus Navas, and the height and link-up play of target-man Fernando Llorente to increase the pressure against a tiring defence, but both are absent. Versatile Pedro can add directness and finishing ability from the bench, but if Diego Costa continues the form that helped Atletico Madrid claim La Liga, La Furia Roja have all they need to make history and claim a fourth successive tournament.

Holland were runners-up in World Cup 2010 but their defensive style of football under Bert van Marwijk won few friends after their final display featured several aggressive challenges. Louis Van Gaal taking charge led the side to a more technical and positive approach, but levels of optimism have been restrained.

Van Gaal was appointed Manchester United manager before the end of the season, and the squad’s preparation was further disrupted by midfield all-rounder Kevin Strootman’s injury. The Roma left-footer had contributed in both defence and attack, and Van Gaal chose to change in formation and add a third centre-back in his place.

Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillesen sits behind a youthful back-line whose experience is largely confined to the Eredivisie, but Ron Vlaar adds Premier League know-how and aerial ability and the combative Nigel de Jong provides an effective shield. Wing-backs Daryl Janmaat and Daley Blind have won praise for their athleticism and technical ability respectively, though Wesley Sneijder has declined since his glorious treble-winning season in 2010.

However, the formation change allows the front two of Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie more freedom to drift around the pitch and time their runs to pick up Sneijder’s excellent long-passing to greatest effect. The Oranje rely heavily on the pair’s formidable finishing ability, but that took them to an extra-time defeat in the final in 2010.

Chile are decisively committed to an attacking game plan under manager Jorge Sampaoli, who has continued the system of energetic pressing devised by former Argentina manager Marcelo Bielsa.

Capable of inspiring attacking play and pace, but placing intense demands on the limited numbers of defenders kept back and the fitness of the players, they drew just one of their 16 CONMEBOL league matches

Alexis Sanchez scored 21 goals for Barcelona last season, and together with Eduardo Vargas starts from the flanks before attacking with explosive pace and finishing ability in front of goal. Jorge Valdivia has played in a ‘false 9’ role as a playmaker who starts up front but drops back to receive possession before looking to place through-balls behind the defence.

But the central attacking role could go to tireless box-to-box midfielder Arturo Vidal who netted 18 goals for Juventus before his season was disrupted by an injury, from which he may not have recovered match fitness. The forward runs of fellow central midfielder Charles Aranguiz, right-back Mauricio Isla and left-back Eugenio Mena (or Jean Beausejour) add to the team’s high-energy game.

Marcelo Diaz anchors the midfield ahead of either a back-three or a central defensive pair in a high line. However with the tall but slow Marcos Gonzales omitted from the squad, the side frequently field no defenders who play centre-back at club level and no players in the entire team over 6’.

Unless the team avoid conceding set pieces, their resulting inability to defend crosses could undermine everything achieved in attack. However, if allowed to play to their strengths and keep the ball high up the pitch, they have the pace to outscore most opposition.

Australia left it late to secure qualification after an early defeat to Jordan, and manager Holger Osieck saw his conservative approach in high-profile friendlies against France and Brazil met with consecutive 6-0 defeats.

His replacement with Ange Postecoglou was a popular choice, given the latter’s positive approach in the domestic league, and introducing younger players ahead of when they host the 2015 Asian Cup was emphasised over collecting points as his aim going into the tournament. Crystal Palace captain and midfield anchorman Mile Jedinak plays a key role alongside Mark Milligan in dropping deep to support the largely inexperienced defence.

The pair encourage the full-backs to support the pacey but raw duo of Tommy Oar and Matthew Leckie on the flanks, either side of experienced playmaker Mark Bresciano. Tim Cahill, whose excellent heading ability prompted his conversion from midfield to attack, and the giant Josh Kennedy each offer aerial strength.

However, compared to such a strong group the Socceroos lack both experience in defence and quality in attack, and attacking ambition beyond counter-attacking wing-play and set-piece strength could be punished with heavy defeats.